Now Booking Keynotes for 2018: When you want to bring “The Positive Impact Of Doing 1 BOLD Thing!” to your inspired company, team, professional association or community leadership organization, please visit our website for details. I look forward to hearing from you so we can both learn more!

The #Do1BOLDTHING Movement is new, starting strong and growing! Laying the foundation, shaping possibilities based on the BOLD inspiration, innovation, principles, content and body of work of Founder Ann Ulrich and her passion, persistence and perseverance in creating positively BOLD iterations over 20+ years to champion, encourage, empower, and inspire the BEST in people leading at all levels… business, career, community, life… since 1993!

you were so passionately committed to an idea – a new possibility – a person’s potential – a new way – a fresh perspective…

that you werewilling to climb to the top of the hill…

stand alone, silhouetted against the sky…

knowing you’re in a position to be shot down?!

Is this the ultimate risk?

Or is the ultimate risk not risking anything!

By Choosing To Play It Safe, You’re Choosing To Risk New Success.

It will always be easier to play it safe…

… caring just enough to toss your two cents in as you walk away to follow the crowd of leaders who follow crowds.

It will always be easier to play it safe…

… doing just enough to get by, fit in, comfortably unnoticed.

It will always be easier to play it safe…

… flying under the radar with no headwinds challenging ever-present status quo or risking ever-possible new success.

It will always be easier to play it safe…

… choosing the same old way vs churning new waves of inspired innovation.

WHAT IF in stepping up with a fresh perspective, you elevated one thing, improved one situation, advanced one outcome, positively impacted one person!

WHAT IF in setting out to change your corner of the world, you realized the real gift lies in expanding your own view of the vast potential of you!

WHAT IF in taking those big steps sprinkled with baby steps forward, you tripped yourself up, got back up, and discovered hey, that was ok!

WHAT IF in risking those missteps along the way, you realized fun happens and success thrives at the intersection where people, projects and new possibilities come alive!

WHAT IFin trusting yourself to take a new risk – speaking up, contributing your own point of view to move an idea, project, strategy or initiative forward – you encouraged, inspired, championed and empowered that same courage and confidence in others!

The Moment You Choose To Play It Safe Is The Moment You Risk New Success.

DO ONE BOLD THING™:

SELECT YOURSELF FOR SUCCESS!

OWN IT… WITH CONFIDENCE.

Go ahead.

Climb to the top of that hill.

YES, the one you’re most afraid of.

It could be just the place to start!

#Do1BOLDThing: WHAT ONE BOLD ACTION WILL YOU TAKE TOWARD SUCCESS… TODAY!

KUDOS: with appreciation to Dale Dauten, The Corporate Curmudgeon, for his permission to share his powerful vision of *standing alone silhouetted against the sky in a position to be shot down*.

PHOTO: My favorite reminder of a promise to myself while on a speaking tour in Taiwan back in 1990, the year of the horse. I was leading in my Rookie-To-Executive role in healthcare at that time, and decided one day I would create a business to inspire self-leadership, ownership, confidence and success. Three years later I took a risk, and began.

Funny thing, when I’m asked how I stay energized… what keeps me inspired to champion the best in others… what drives me forward after a disappointment, a speed bump or yes, now and then, even a flat-out-face-plant fail…

I stop to think, never quite sure what the one-thing answer would be.

Until now.

Now I know exactly what keeps me inspired, energized and loving my work and life – and it can work for you too – yes, even with trip-ups amidst triumphs along our way.

It’s not what I expected – and maybe you expected it would be these, too?

For me it’s not only about eating well (ok, eating well 80% of the time ) it’s not only about getting enough sleep (at least more nights than not), or consistent exercise (if I’m dancing thru the commercials, at least that’s something!) it’s not only about fresh air (whether freezing or frying), and not only about doing rewarding work, connecting with close friends, date time with my husband, and fun family time…

It’s really not about any of those.

What keeps me on top of my game – and can keep you on top of yours?

Self-induced breaks to immerse in *purely blissful nothingness*.

Ahhh…. can’t you just feel the exhale in that?

My kind of *nothingness* is sometimes carefully – or creatively – scheduled, other times randomly enjoyed. Sometimes announced, other times quiet. Sometimes blocked out, other times welcomed in.

The beauty of choosing *purely blissful nothingness*?

It doesn’t require budgeting time or money as vacation does – it’s not about needing to hang on until the weekend – and it doesn’t require managing time differently because it’s actually time-freeing!

I would love to have coined the word *Nothingness*. It is however, already here and already burdened with quicksandish descriptions (ugh!) as in absence or insignificance – and yes, it’s even been scientifically proven.

Guess I’m late to the party for starting a movement toward immersing in *nothingness*…

Ah, but *purely blissful nothingness* that’s entirely fresh, unoccupied territory, right? (she hopes as she zips over to Google and comes up with pages of already-out-there’s…)

So the idea of *nothingness* is not a new idea. And that’s OK.

There really are no new ideas – what is new and innovative is how we apply what we already know, in our own fresh new delightful or unexpected ways.

Have you ever thought about how the energy you bring impacts everyday situations in your Work and Life?

When it comes to success and happiness, bringing your best – with Zest – can become THE key differentiator – the One BOLD Thing – that sets you apart!

Do you ever think of the value of the energy you bring as, you know, where’s the *expertise* in that?

I used to. Not any more!

A very cool thing happened for me while speaking to inspire The BOLD! Factor®:Branding Your Best *!* With Confidence leading a client’s group to discover, develop and deliver exactly what you bring that sets you apart – so you can create more success:

I discovered the one thing that has set me apart my entire career (and it can set YOU apart, too!) yet I’m not sure I ever realized the massive value of this ONE attribute:

Here are a few ways I hold myself accountable for keeping my own brand of positive energy alive to set myself apart – and YES, these can work for you, and no doubt they already do!

3 BOLD WAYS TO BRING YOUR BEST WITH ZEST IN EVERYDAY WORK & LIFE!

1. OWN IT.

Success? It’s Up To You. Happiness? It’s Up To You.Bringing Your Best With Zest? It’s Up To YOU!

Want to build, maximize and sustain positive energy?

Hold yourself accountable for how you show up. Not just for the big stuff in life – and not just for the big meetings at work. Show Up in everyday work and life owning the energy you bring – taking responsibility for your impact – and you’ll never need to make another excuse when things don’t go your way.

Keeping it real:No one is on top of their game in every situation, every day. Relax. This is not about standing out in an obnoxious way. This is about bringing your best attitude, your own high expectation, and holding yourself accountable for what happens as a result.

Not feeling your best? There are times rescheduling is smarter than dragging yourself thru it. And there will be times you’ll need to look in the mirror and remind yourself; Success? It’s Up To ME. And on that down day you pick an outfit that looks a whole lot better than you feel and get out there…

Show Up & Own It. And just like that you’re back on track, on top of your game!

2. JETTISON WHAT YOU KNOW NO LONGER WORKS.

Ouch. I know. Jettisoning. It’s tough.

What exactly does it mean to jettison?

At The BOLD! Factor, I describe jettisoning as “eliminating what you already know no longer works”.

And yes, it’s tough.

And you know what’s tougher?

Living a life filled with commitments, situations, and/or people that no longer fit. UGH. I feel like I gained a few pounds of dead weight just thinking of carrying around all that non-essential baggage.

Keeping it real: There will always be work you must do, commitments you must keep, situations you must deal with, and people you must interact with. Get over it. That’s Life! Change what you can and the rest? That’s another discussion for another day.

It takes courage to jettison.

It take confidence to jettison with compassion.

You already know what works – it’s up to you to take action and let the rest go.

3. BE A ROOKIE AGAIN.

Early in my career, I rose from Rookie to Executive in an industry where at first glance I didn’t seem to belong. It didn’t happen overnight – it took me 13 years to accomplish.

What kept my energy high and my success alive? Continually challenging myself in new situations. Yes, fear and all.

When it comes to Success & Happiness, experiencing a powerful jolt of Rookie-ism is good for us all!

Rookie has become one of my favorite words. And favorite roles.

Keeping it real: When it comes to sustaining positive energy, not everything we’re passionate about needs to become the work we do. In fact, I’m becoming more a *LOVE YOUR WORK* rather than *DO WORK YOU LOVE* because turning your passion into your work can render your passion, well, Poof! Evaporated! Has that ever happened to you? I digress… I get emails inviting me to pay big bucks for Rookie.com related domain names. No thank you, altho I do own a serious-hobby-level collection of domain names, TheBOLDFactor.com and AnnUlrich.com work for me ;)

Feeling accomplished?

The more accomplished we feel, the more we need to find or create a way to be a Rookie at something again – starting right where you’re at.

The Zest of being a Rookie again soon outweighs the angst of all that suddenly-unfamiliar territory.

When becoming a Rookie again is *their* choice for you (job loss, etc) and not your choice, what to do? Own it! See it as an opportunity to create success in a whole new way.

Let being a Rookie again help you be a better individual and a better leader – as you learn new, gain fresh perspective, build curiosity, embrace new situations and navigate unchartered territory in unfamiliar environments… with courage and confidence.

Being a Rookie again keeps us mindful, with empathy for others who face new, unexpected and challenging situations in everyday work and life.

Facing a Rookie challenge? Don’t get stressed out! Stress makes you old. What if being a Rookie again became YOUR secret weapon for feeling forever young!

PHOTO: GLASS SCULPTURE ARTIST CREDIT: Dale Chihuly. I loved taking pictures to capture scenes I come across in everyday life that in some way inspire me, and I love sharing them here with you. I came across this STUNNING floor to ceiling glass sculpture in the art museum when David and I took a weekend trip to Milwaukee. Oh my, this colorful ZEST-filled art surely inspires!

Before you head out for last-minute holiday gifts for the kids on your list…

Consider these confidence-building gifts that could positively influence kids of any age… for a lifetime.

OK, so they may not be asking Santa for these – and no, you won’t find these on any Hot Gifts list. And they likely won’t be featured by brands positioning for your holiday dollars or purchasing power – at least not for these reasons.

I created The BOLD! Factor® to inspire success with self-leadership, ownership & confidence – self-empowerment for emerging leaders and motivated professionals.

For adults. Not for kids. So…

Why Suggest Confidence-Building Gifts For Kids?

We all know where self-confidence can begin and flourish… yes, right there… early on… in quiet moments when kids still have a chance to dream their own dreams… before adults try to decide their future for them.

Whether you’re in that favorite category of retail marketers everywhere: professional auntsor uncles buying for nieces and nephews… or a wise grandparent or holiday-crazed Mom or Dad tired of tracking down top-selling toys as they become burnt out and the toys become sold out.

Here’s my favorite solution or two – ok, three – which kids on your list just might eventually love…

…along with few DO ONE BOLD THING action steps to eliminate the guess-work… and hopefully positively impact YOU.

! 1.THEIR OWNFULL-LENGTH MIRROR

The greatest gift we give ourselves, when it comes to happiness and success, leading and living the life we want? CONFIDENCE.

Confidence is Believing In Yourself(!) even in that moment – especially in that moment – when it’s easier not to.

Give A Gift To Build Self-Confidence. Their Own Full-Length Mirror.

With ever-decreasing privacy, and ever-increasing parading of kids through social media as magical mini-me’s living up to our mega vision of what success and happiness could look like in their amazing life… (oh, the pressure!)

Take a step back, and let the real gift in this gift be whatever reflects in THEIR view.

How will I ask her to prom? Will I get married on a tropical island? What kind of business will I own someday? What do I really want to do when I grow up?

DO ONE BOLD THING: Buy a full-length mirror. Simple or decorative. Hang it on the back of their bedroom door. So they can close out the world, eliminate distractions (yes, even closing out you ;) as they immerse in their own little dreamland…

Where they can learn to create their own happiness, believe in their own greatness, build their own self-confidence, love who they see reflecting back…

And they just might have a greater chance to become adults who are comfortable in their own skin, staying true to who they are, while also seeing the greatness in others.

(I could say more on this but you get it, and I didn’t intend this to become a lesson in self-leadership… only in positive-influence gift giving ;).

Quiet time for you. Dream time for them.

!! 2.THEIR OWN VOICE RECORDER

As adults we know the importance of trusting our own voice, developing our own point of view, and the confidence it takes to speak up for ourselves in both everyday and challenging situations in our work and life:

Give A Gift To Build Voice Confidence. Their Own Voice Recorder.

So often we learn this on the go, in action, in front of others, which is when fear and impostor syndrome threaten to set in, to overwhelm, stifling our best efforts as we struggle in self-doubt, self-sabotage… often silencing our own voice, in some cases, before we’ve even had a chance to develop our own point of view.

What if kids had an opportunity to build their confident voice naturally, individually, getting use to that not-at-first-familiar tone, adjusting for whatever emphasis they want, becoming their own ME in their own special way, thru play?

DO ONE BOLD THING: Gift a Voice Recorder. One they can operate on their own. I’m not writing to promote any brands – only sharing from experience: when our kids were growing up the Fischer Price recorder was exactly the gift that inspired this idea – way back then – some of the best strategies are exactly that: timeless!

Get ready to smile as you start hearing singing and crazy-fun voices and new characters coming to life in your own home… inspiring new personaes, new possibilities…

*Welcome Ladies & Gentlemen!* or *Introducing The Star Of The Show!* or *And The Winner Is…* or *Everyone find their seats, quiet please, shhhh, it’s time for class…*

A much safer way to build confidence… trying out new voices as kids… rather than getting to our stage of life when it can feel like too big a risk to test a new voice, or voice a new idea, or share our own fresh perspective…

And so we don’t… because it’s too risky… and because it’s just easier not to.

!!! 3. SHOES THEY WANT TO MOVE IN

As adults we know the best way to get unstuck when we’re struggling – Get Moving! DO Something! Take Action!

Sure, at times introspection calls for stopping, getting quiet, thinking, reflecting… and then at some point you’ll need to get moving again… !

Give A Gift To Build Confidence In Action! Shoes They Want To Move In.

I do believe in giving in to brand-passion when it’s justified (and hopefully when it’s on sale!) If the shoes they really want are the ones that will inspire them to get outside and get moving, playing, trying out new sports at least long enough to experience being part of an action-focused team…

Investing in favorite shoes they can play in and want to move in can be money well spent!

Teach kids early on the importance of choosing outfits they want to move in… starting with shoes they can move fast in!

DO ONE BOLD THING: Buy whatever favorite shoes they want to move in – shoes they LOVE – shoes they’ll want to walk in, run in, play hard in.

Oh and let them get dirty!

Great minds and active bodies are not built by stepping around mud puddles, staying off wet grass, or walking inside the cracks on finally-dry sidewalks.

Do gifts of Full-Length Mirrors, Voice Recorders and Shoes They Want To Move In actually play a role in helping to build and reinforce kids’ Self-Confidence? Passion? Success? Happiness?

On a quick dash thru Neiman Marcus in downtown Minneapolis a few years ago, I stopped just long enough to snap this picture.

What caught my eyewas not the cashmere sweater collection it promoted.

Instead, it flashed me back to exciting memories of my former career as professional plus-size runway model, garment fit model and agency owner – when I amassed a smile-inducing collection of mannequins and fashion fit forms.

I smiled, snapped this photo, and then it struck me:

What stopped me in my trackswas how this display portrayed SO many aspects of the business of life we each lead as professional women…

The rich, colorful tapestry we each weave in creating what becomes our life story – as we lead and live our work and life – in our own special way. Every stage. Every day.

The layers that complicate us – confine us – comfort us – challenge us – complete us?

Our many shadesbeyond grey.

In that complexity, I want to help bring clarity to the often-exciting, often-overwhelming realities of achieving Success. And Happiness. As you define each for yourself.

The key to Success? (and Happiness?)

Owning It… With CONFIDENCE.

Where to begin? Start here:

DO ONE BOLD THING™: THE NON-NEGOTIABLEFIRSTSTEP TO OWNING YOUR SUCCESS… WITH CONFIDENCE:

Know What You Want. Laser-focus it. Name it. Courageously commit by making it non-negotiable. Grab a quick break and get in front of a mirror and self-talk-it if you need to.

Realize goals worth reaching – the goals you value – are rarely achieved in one-fell-swoop of BOLD Success. Success happens in a series of baby BOLD steps along the way – some forward, and yes, some back. Sometimes more back then forward.

Success is a choice you make. As is Happiness.

What matters is that YOU believe in YOU.

CONFIDENCE IS Believing In Yourself(!) even in that moment – especially in that moment – when it’s easier not to.

(Or why would anyone else believe in you, if you don’t believe in fabulous you? When YOU believe in you, others believe in you, too!)

Thinking this advice applies only for young professionals, early in our careers? Think again.

At every age and every stage of your work and life, to GET what you want you need to KNOW what you want.

Achieving what you want begins when you commit, when you OWN IT with CONFIDENCE … by Selecting Yourself For Success!

PHOTO: I snapped this shot at Neiman Marcus, downtown Minneapolis (before NM left Mpls) as an inspiring reminder of the fit form collection I owned in my former career as professional plus-size model and agency owner – and how it applies in so many ways to the business of life for professional women… whose success & happiness I passionately champion at THE BOLD! FACTOR®.

In response to these powerful Leading Ladies, including Sheryl Sandberg, Beyonce, Girl Scouts, and more… on their latest *Lean In* bandwagon inspiring Women and Girls to ban the word Bossy and claim they are not being bossy… they are *leading*…

Before YOU consider whether you want to be part of *Ban Bossy*… please consider the potential impact of Unintended Consequences of this Campaign:

How many YOUNG GIRLS will misunderstand this complex leadership message… if they’re being told to see themselves not as bossy, rather as: I am a Leader! This is what it means to be a Leader!

How many MID-LEVEL WOMEN will start seeing Kindness as Weakness?

AND how many BOOMER WOMEN (my age, and yes, I’m shouting us out here!) will use this campaign as yet another force, another excuse, for blaming MEN for somehow holding back their own Confidence, Success & Happiness?

How soon before THIS Unintended Consequence becomes reality: Bullying At ALL Ages INCREASING(!) as otherwise-wonderful Girls & Women start trying their best to practice what they’re now being advised by these influential women role models… believing, for example, *this is not being bossy – this is what being a Leader is all about – Sheryl Sandberg, Beyonce and Girl Scouts KNOW!*

YIKES. Respected leaders? For sure. Mis-directed message? You decide.

How will YOU respond to this newest wave of supposed Women’s Leadership?

Men, interested in your thoughts, too – as you know I believe any change requires us ALL being in this game of business and life together!

I’m going to keep encouraging, inspiring and championing as I have been since 1993: BOLD Confidence & Success & Happiness…thru Self-Leadership & Ownership.

Instead, try this:

DO ONE BOLD THING.™

CLAIM YOUR CONFIDENCE WITH CALM & CLASS.

It’s YOUR Success, YOUR Happiness, YOUR Life… And It’s Up To YOU.

OWN IT With Calm, Classy, Courageous, Contagious, Calibrated(!) CONFIDENCE.

BRING YOUR BEST. BOLD. YOU!

Your Turn! Are you onboard their campaign? If so… If not… Which & Why?

PHOTO: I like to take my own photos for my website and blog – professional or not it’s a passion of mine. I took this photo in a hotel last year, and wondered when will be the first time I use it to signify to readers: EXIT THIS GAME NOW. This is the Topic & Today is the day!

When you bring your BOLD with Magnetic Charisma:You have an opportunity to Calibrate the external energy of your Confidence anytime you choose(!) by mindfully observing what’s happening around you… how you’re responding or reacting… and adjusting accordingly. Start here:

Get your antennae up, get dialed in, and get interested in the people and situations surrounding you. With courage, awareness, authenticity and practice, you can maximize your influence and positive impact – earning trust, respect, and top-of-mind positioning – as you build new Success! All that and more, simply by shifting the focus and intensity of your powerful external energy… with the peripheral view, vulnerability, and other-focused compassion of EMPATHY.

When you bring your BOLD with Quiet Confidence:You have an opportunity to Calibrate the inner strength of your Confidence anytime you choose(!) by mindfully observing what’s happening around you… how you’re responding or reacting… and adjusting accordingly. Start here:

Get your antennae up, get dialed in, and get interested in the people and situations surrounding you. With courage, awareness, authenticity and practice, you can maximize your influence and positive impact – earning trust, respect, and top-of-mind positioning – as you build new Success! All that and more, simply by shifting the focus and intensity of your powerful inner strength… with the peripheral view, vulnerability and other-focused involvement in CONNECTING.

PHOTO: I created (author!) DO ONE BOLD THING.™ & SHIFT YOUR OLD TO BOLD!™ 2-in-1 Inspired Action! Success Cards, having a blast igniting thought-provoking Confidence- & Success-building conversations with inspired people using these cards, available at my BEST BOLD U!™ Live Events & THE BOLD! FACTOR® Keynotes.